Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: bwallace23350 on January 28, 2017, 10:22:15 pm
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If I am going to wear gloves what kind should I wear. I just don't like the nitrile gloves and they are so handy and convenient as we stock there where I work and where I work is right beside my hives and my family and I own the place so they cost me nothing. With that being said I am not brave or skilled enough to work without gloves so what is my next best option.
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I just don't like the nitrile gloves and they are so handy and convenient as we stock there where I work and where I work is right beside my hives and my family and I own the place so they cost me nothing.
So you are saying you don't like the nitriles? Just confused by I don't like " but they are so handy and convenient....they cost me nothing. Just want to make sure I read this right before I reply.
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Correct. I don't like them at all.
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What mil gloves are you using? I use 9mm gloves although I do take a hit if they are tight and the bees are cranky. I use 22 mil gloves on bad girls and I just bought an 18 mil pair that I have not used. I do not like leather because of lack of dexterity. The 22 mil develop a "distink" odor, any suggestion on this problem would be appreciated. I also can take a FEW stings to hands because it helps my arthritis
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I will look at the mill when I get to work on Monday. They are pretty thick as we sell it to sanitation/septic workers and they like them thick.
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I bought some duraflock on the recommendation of divemaster and have not looked back. Yep they cause hands to sweat a lot but have great dexterity. Some thin cloth liners would compliment them well, like some jewelry stores or gun shops handle their merchandise with.
After the nitrile you get leather and tend to squeeze a lot of bees which tends to piss them off...
http://www.beemaster.com/forum/index.php?topic=49052.msg426573#msg426573
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I am allergic to stings so I need gloves that protect me. Leather can be stung through. Cloth also, but not as easily. The think heavy rubber gloves that are about 1/32-1/16 thick (which I got at Home Depot) are (so far) inpenetratable. Seems they can sting the glove but the stinger will not advance all the way through the glove.
I don't have as much dexterity in them as I would like, but they do function.
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Correct. I don't like them at all.
I have used the rubber coated cotton garden gloves warn on the opposite hand. The trick is to get them big enough. The reason for opposite hand is so the cotton is on the inside of the hand and the rubber on the outside of the hand. I have leather gloves but they prevent you from feeling anything and usually what happens is you pinch a bee and one sting sets them in a frenzy. When the hive is small I can go bare handed but by the time it gets 5 boxes high it is too much intimidation for me.
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I might just get some good goat skin gloves. I am not allergic to stings but don't particularly like them either. I would just rather protect my hands.
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I don't wear gloves unless the hive is crazy. Just smoke them hands up and move slowly.
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Just smoke them hands up and move slowly.
Even if you wear gloves smoke the hands up.
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Thanks. I saw a pair of ventilated bee gloves on Amazon. With how hot it gets here those are looking might tempting.
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BW,
Please add your location. I'm sure you mentioned where you are located when you started but I cannot remember.
Jim
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I used to not wear gloves at all, but got tired of the regular pings in my Russian x hive. They're a bit defensive during inspection season.
I have the ventilated bee gloves and I do wear them when I'm not in the mood to move really slowly. I've taken a ton of stingers to them, but never through them. I like them a lot.
I've worn the nitrile and got pinged through them the very first time. Also, they make my hands sweat and the fingers are just a tad too long for how I need them so the fingertips kept getting caught between boxes when I'd re-stack. Also, they're a bit short and sometimes pull down and leave a gap at the wrist.
I've been wondering about a nice set of flocked dish gloves ... In the meantime, I'm mostly using the ventilated long leather ones. They work fine.
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I've been wondering about a nice set of flocked dish gloves ... In the meantime, I'm mostly using the ventilated long leather ones. They work fine.
They will
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Also, they're a bit short and sometimes pull down and leave a gap at the wrist.
If I have on gloves I have a jacket on. I tape gloves at the sleeves...
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Well I just bought me some new gloves from Humble Bee off Amazon. Hope they are good quality. I will know Wednesday
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bw, you mentioned getting good quality goatskin gloves and I think quality's the key. Goat is a tough, flexible, durable leather that remains more flexible than pig or cow hide when it dries out after a soaking. You might want to oil the leather, too, so that it remains softer after drying out. You can wash the propolis off goatskin and it won't shrink and stiffen like others. If you wear leather gloves, that is the way to go, IMO.
Early in the season I sometimes go bare handed. Most of the season I wear nitrile gloves (5mil), getting stings only occasionally. Rarely do I feel the need to wear my leather (goat) gloves, but I do keep them handy for those times.
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I wear a jacket with long sleeves. So I buy roping gloves (aka doeskin gloves aka buckskin gloves) that are thin leather and tuck them into my sleeves. Easy to get on and off. Cooler than having canvas running up my arms...
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https://www.lowes.com/pd/Style-Selections-Rose-Pruning-Gauntlet-Large-Unisex-Leather-Palm-Work-Gloves/4565770 (https://www.lowes.com/pd/Style-Selections-Rose-Pruning-Gauntlet-Large-Unisex-Leather-Palm-Work-Gloves/4565770)
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I bought some duraflock on the recommendation of divemaster and have not looked back. Yep they cause hands to sweat a lot but have great dexterity.
http://www.beemaster.com/forum/index.php?topic=49052.msg426573#msg426573
I've finally bought some of these too. Can't wait to try them out. I've been using some ventilated goat skin gloves. I like them too.
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I would like to work around the bees and not wear all the gear.
The next time I inspect the hive, I am going to just use smoke at the beginning and as necessary and see how it goes.
Last full inspection, I had long sleeve shirt, veil, and cotton gloves, not one Bee came near me.
When you watch video clips, many Beekeepers wear nothing, like The Fat Beeman, J P the Beeman, and many others.
Look at clips of J P the Beeman, he is removing huge wild colonies and never wears protection.
Do stingers go through latex / nitrile surgical gloves?
Bruce
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>I would like to work around the bees and not wear all the gear.
Wear what you are comfortable with. But I would advise to always protect your face.
>The next time I inspect the hive, I am going to just use smoke at the beginning and as necessary and see how it goes.
A little smoke goes a long way. If you smoke them to much they can get a bit upset. Typically they just need enough to distract them from what you are doing.
>Last full inspection, I had long sleeve shirt, veil, and cotton gloves, not one Bee came near me.
When your hive(nuc) is small there aren't enough guard bees to waste attacking you.
>When you watch video clips, many Beekeepers wear nothing, like The Fat Beeman, J P the Beeman, and many others.
Look at clips of J P the Beeman, he is removing huge wild colonies and never wears protection.
Even JP has a full suit handy for the mean hives. And most of the Fat Beeman videos I've seen he's dealing with a smaller hive. Experience will tell you when the bees are in a pissy mood.
>Do stingers go through latex / nitrile surgical gloves?
I don't know the answer about the gloves since I've never worn gloves when working my hives. I do take the occasional sting on the hands though.
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I have some heavy 22 mil gloves That I use on bad hives and cut outs. Just working hives I usually go bare on casual inspections, but on a real inspection I use 9mm nitril gloves that are reusable BUT they CAN sting through them. Goodluck Captain
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I quit wearing nitrile gloves after I got stung through them. (very sweaty) I only wear a veil and light colored shirt and use smoke. I get a sting one in a while. Oh well.
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Ohhh there are times JP wears a suit.... he gauges the pissyness of the bees :wink: The other fellow you mentioned... keep your bees on a constant feed of sugar and you too could have stingless bees... :shocked:
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Part of JP trick is he smokes himself up real good before working the bees.
A new trick I just started is smoking the bees 10 minutes before I work on a hive. Then I smoke it 30 seconds before opening it. Even my strongest hives are gentle after following this procedure.
Jim
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Part of JP trick is he smokes himself up real good before working the bees.
Does he have scubba equipment? LOL
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Anyone have a link to the ventilated goatskin gloves?
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A new trick I just started is smoking the bees 10 minutes before I work on a hive. Then I smoke it 30 seconds before opening it. Even my strongest hives are gentle after following this procedure.
Jim
Yes, this is what Michael B recommends and it does work really well.
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Part of JP trick is he smokes himself up real good before working the bees.
A new trick I just started is smoking the bees 10 minutes before I work on a hive. Then I smoke it 30 seconds before opening it. Even my strongest hives are gentle after following this procedure.
Jim
Good idea. Do you suite up much when doing this?
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Part of JP trick is he smokes himself up real good before working the bees.
A new trick I just started is smoking the bees 10 minutes before I work on a hive. Then I smoke it 30 seconds before opening it. Even my strongest hives are gentle after following this procedure.
Jim
Similar to what I have been doing but just waiting 1-2 minutes, now I will wait lol ng ER after initial smoking.
Last full inspection, after smoking, I set the smoker on the table beside the hive and I noticed that a light bit of smoke was coming out of smoker and wafting across the top of the hive so I put it down so it wasn't smoking the hive too much.
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I noticed that a light bit of smoke was coming out of smoker and wafting across the top of the hive.
Perfect, How do you train the smoke? I put mine on the hive next to the one I am working and it ignores the hive I am working on and goes right in my eyes or nose. Then I get mad and move it ten ft away. The smoke is more annoying then the stings.
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Part of JP trick is he smokes himself up real good before working the bees.
A new trick I just started is smoking the bees 10 minutes before I work on a hive. Then I smoke it 30 seconds before opening it. Even my strongest hives are gentle after following this procedure.
Jim
Good idea. Do you suite up much when doing this?
I did the first time I tried it on my agressive hive then found out that I did not need it. I took that hive apart last weekend, to split it, with no suit and they were as calm as the rest of my hives.
Jim
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Part of JP trick is he smokes himself up real good before working the bees.
A new trick I just started is smoking the bees 10 minutes before I work on a hive. Then I smoke it 30 seconds before opening it. Even my strongest hives are gentle after following this procedure.
Jim
Good idea. Do you suite up much when doing this?
I did the first time I tried it on my agressive hive then found out that I did not need it. I took that hive apart last weekend, to split it, with no suit and they were as calm as the rest of my hives.
Jim
Interesting stuff. I hope to never have very aggressive hives but good to know if I do.
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I find that bees can sting through leather. I simply put on 3 pairs of 5 ml nitrile and not sure if they can't get a grip or it is adequate, but I don't get the stings and I can feel things like bees bumping. So again, the cheapest works best for me. Just have to be careful the sleeves cover them well.
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I noticed that a light bit of smoke was coming out of smoker and wafting across the top of the hive.
Perfect, How do you train the smoke? I put mine on the hive next to the one I am working and it ignores the hive I am working on and goes right in my eyes or nose. Then I get mad and move it ten ft away. The smoke is more annoying then the stings.
I had a lucky breeze in the right direction........no skill involved.
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I might just get some good goat skin gloves. I am not allergic to stings but don't particularly like them either. I would just rather protect my hands.
Yes, me too. I prefer working without gloves, but I don't like getting stung. I try not to use them, but think I will more often than I do.
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I might just get some good goat skin gloves. I am not allergic to stings but don't particularly like them either. I would just rather protect my hands.
Yes, me too. I prefer working without gloves, but I don't like getting stung. I try not to use them, but think I will more often than I do.
Yeah stings are no fun. I wear gloves because I don't like getting stung/
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Yesterday I did a full inspection, added a frame and a top feeder without protection and was very comfortable and so were the ladies.
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LOLOL Well, things changed since the post above.
I am not a virgin anymore~!!
I have been handling the bees mostly with just a hat and safety glasses and smoke.
Today I had a friend and his 2 kids visiting.
They wanted to see the bees, especially the 8 yo boy.
I only planned to lift the cover for a few seconds with them standing about 8 feet away.
Then.......I thought, while I have the cover in my hand, I will put some syrup in the feeder and I was too lazy to light the smoker...........that's when the trouble started.........I was holding the lid with my left hand, still r Synge on top of hive, and went to pour the syrup and 2 got me on the underside of the arm between shoulder and elbow, that is tender meet there.
Lesson Learned:
If you remove the lid, you need smoke.
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If you remove the cover do not hold it in your hand. They will crawl up your arm and most likely get pinched between your arm and body and then zap. If I am going to take the hive apart I lay the cover upside down and flat on the ground so I can stack boxes on it and not crush bees on the bottom of the box. If I am just going to snoop I lay it against the hive. The inner cover is always laid against the hive.
To open a hive without smoke and an 8 year old near by could result in regrets.
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Captain, are you keeping Asiatic honey bees A, cerana, or European bees, A. mellifera?
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Back to the start of this discussion, I got some unlined 11 mil nitrile gloves, haven't had a bee get up close and personal yet with the 11 mil. I was doing a cutout and I got tagged through the 9 mil gloves. They were getting cranky and I changed to 11s and no more stings through the gloves.
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Paus, don't take this as criticism, but I would look at the handling methods or temperature of the day if the bees are getting that cranky.
If the bees are just cranky, then that is your decision whether you put up with them or change queens.
I am not an expert on gloves as I don't use them.
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Captain, are you keeping Asiatic honey bees A, cerana, or European bees, A. mellifera?
I am told by the Bee Farm where I got them, they are Asian Taiwan bees.
I took a dead one and then spent time on the internet trying to see if I could discern what species they are, I could not tell with certainty.
The Entemology Professor will be coming to my house in the next week, I will discuss with her and she will see what I have.
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I like this glove the best..
https://thehoneyexchange.com/products/bucko-beekeeping-gloves
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :smile:
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Jim,
Those gloves are too thick for me. You cannot feel the bees under your fingers and the cloves take a lot of stingers which irritates the bees when you put your hand in the hive. I do have a pair like them in my truck for emergencies in case there is a spilled load of bees that I need to handle.
If I need gloves for a hot hive, I use the purple nylon ones.
Jim
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About 98% of time I do not use gloves. This is what I have in my vehicle. When things go badly. I also realize everybody's tolerance is different as to the term badly.
I personally would really use smoke on my hands.Gloves of any kind is a last resort for me.
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :smile:
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Both Jims fit with my way of doing things.
Without gloves when the bees start head butting your hands its time for a bit more smoke, unsure if you would feel the little head butts with gloves.
What you say about gloves carrying stingers is interesting, the "sting here smell" that is left with the sting does fire them up if they are going to fizz.
I carry a small bucket with water, hive tool and a stainless steel pot scourer. Water for washing hands and scourer to keep hive tool from carrying too much junk between hives. If ii get stung, after scraping the sting, I usually wash the stung area, cool water relief and get rid of the attack here smell.
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I use gloves every time as I don't like being stung and I used my hands regularly and having them swell would just be a hassle.
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I use gloves every time as I don't like being stung and I used my hands regularly and having them swell would just be a hassle.
Yeah - same here. I write code for a living, and swollen hands means a day off work.
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About 98% of time I do not use gloves. This is what I have in my vehicle. When things go badly. I also realize everybody's tolerance is different as to the term badly.
I personally would really use smoke on my hands.Gloves of any kind is a last resort for me.
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :smile:
Same here.
Jim
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I use gloves every time as I don't like being stung and I used my hands regularly and having them swell would just be a hassle.
Yeah - same here. I write code for a living, and swollen hands means a day off work.
I don't code but I am thinking of having to change a diaper and dress a 20 month old. Clumsy hands just looks like poop on the floor and a crying baby to me
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If you get stung, apply Benadryl and hydrocortisone to the sting as soon as possible and you will help your body to get used to not reacting to stings. Most experienced Beekeepers do not swell up from a few stings.
It is important for beekeepers and their spouses get bee stings from time to time to keep from developing a severe reaction from handling dried venom from suits and gloves.
Jim
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If you get stung, apply Benadryl and hydrocortisone to the sting as soon as possible and you will help your body to get used to not reacting to stings. Most experienced Beekeepers do not swell up from a few stings.
It is important for beekeepers and their spouses get bee stings from time to time to keep from developing a severe reaction from handling dried venom from suits and gloves.
Jim
It is important for beekeepers and their spouses get bee stings from time to time to keep from developing a severe reaction from handling dried venom from suits and gloves.
Jim....................
I have seen that thrown about but I have not seen any scientific studies done on it. I have gotten stung but I would rather take one anywhere but the hands and the eyes because I need them to watch and work on my son.
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I use TIG welding gauntlet gloves, thin, soft and comfortable leather with feel. Yes I do get stung through them but not often and it's not a full on sting.
If I was allergic to bee stings I'd buy my honey.....
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If you get stung, apply Benadryl and hydrocortisone to the sting as soon as possible and you will help your body to get used to not reacting to stings. Most experienced Beekeepers do not swell up from a few stings.
It is important for beekeepers and their spouses get bee stings from time to time to keep from developing a severe reaction from handling dried venom from suits and gloves.
Jim
It is important for beekeepers and their spouses get bee stings from time to time to keep from developing a severe reaction from handling dried venom from suits and gloves.
Jim....................
I have seen that thrown about but I have not seen any scientific studies done on it. I have gotten stung but I would rather take one anywhere but the hands and the eyes because I need them to watch and work on my son.
I had a woman come to me for a jar of bees that she needed for apiatherapy to keep her from being bed ridden by fibermyalija. She had been using bee stings every other day to live. Her husband became allergic to bees because he did the laundry. I talked her into getting her own hive. After the second year she started sting her husband and immediately removing the stinger, with an epypen ready. They slowly left the stingers in longer and longer and now he takes care of the bees.
Jim
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Here is something interesting. About the importance of being stung.
https://youtu.be/P0QB96RrGdM
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :smile:
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My experience shows me........we prepare for opening the hive, use initial puffs of smoke, then we start the inspection or whatever task we are doing and don't pick up the smoker until you are stung or the bees are noticeable getting agitated.
When you have the hive open and the top of every frame looks like that cartoon of Kilroy with the girls all peeking over the top of the frame, that is time for a few short puff so they go back down inside and you continue with activity.
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If you get stung, apply Benadryl and hydrocortisone to the sting as soon as possible and you will help your body to get used to not reacting to stings. Most experienced Beekeepers do not swell up from a few stings.
It is important for beekeepers and their spouses get bee stings from time to time to keep from developing a severe reaction from handling dried venom from suits and gloves.
Jim
It is important for beekeepers and their spouses get bee stings from time to time to keep from developing a severe reaction from handling dried venom from suits and gloves.
Jim....................
I have seen that thrown about but I have not seen any scientific studies done on it. I have gotten stung but I would rather take one anywhere but the hands and the eyes because I need them to watch and work on my son.
I had a woman come to me for a jar of bees that she needed for apiatherapy to keep her from being bed ridden by fibermyalija. She had been using bee stings every other day to live. Her husband became allergic to bees because he did the laundry. I talked her into getting her own hive. After the second year she started sting her husband and immediately removing the stinger, with an epypen ready. They slowly left the stingers in longer and longer and now he takes care of the bees.
Jim
Interesting. I handle my bee equipment very rarely. It sits in a room at work, where my hives are, but gets touched very little and have yet to wash my suit. I do get stung but not much.